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Ro launches healthcare research unit, plans to offer data to drugmakers 

By Reuters News

By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Telehealth firm Ro announced on Friday it is launching a healthcare research lab powered by artificial intelligence to study patient outcomes and potentially offer insights to drugmakers.

Chief Executive Zach Reitano said increased data could provide insights for insurers weighing coverage of expensive medications, allow drugmakers to identify which patients benefit from a specific treatment, and improve health outcomes for individuals on its platform.

Reitano said the company is currently in talks with drug manufacturers on partnering with its research unit. Ro said it will use AI to analyze data generated through its digital health platform, which has served millions of patients.

The company this year entered a research collaboration with drugmaker Amgen AMGN.O to study access to obesity treatments.

Companies such as Hims & Hers Health HIMS.N, Noom and Ro have gained prominence for connecting patients with virtual prescribers and access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

Ro offers cash-pay access to Eli Lilly's Zepbound LLY.N and Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy through the manufacturers' direct pharmacies, although eligible patients can use insurance. The drugs keep the stomach feeling full by mimicking a hormone that regulates hunger.

Ro also sells sexual health, hair loss and skincare treatments.

Novo Nordisk Chief Executive Mike Doustdar has said future obesity medicines are likely to be developed to match different patient needs.

As some employers drop coverage of the drugs due to rising medical costs, Reitano said, stronger real-world evidence could help insurers see the longer-term health and cost benefits of covering the treatments.

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